Published: Wednesday, 28th May, 2008 12:00
Proposal to merge schools in Sauchie
By Nicola Findlay
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Fishcross Primary is one of the schools under review.
Pic by: David Robertson
PROPOSALS to merge three Sauchie’s primary schools and a nursery are being put forward as part of an ongoing review into primary and nursery education in the county.
A cross party working group is examining the provision of education for three to 12-year-olds in Clackmannanshire, with the amalgamation of Deerpark, Fishcross and Craigbank Primaries and Sauchie nursery on one site, possibly at Fairfield, one of the options being considered.
The review will consider how best to meet the educational needs of Clackmannanshire’s children over the coming years, with all the county’s primary and nursery schools coming under scrutiny.
First reports of the possible merger of Deerpark, Fishcross and Craigbank primaries, and Sauchie Nursery, were revealed at a PTA meeting in Fishcross, but Provost Derek Stewart – who had been identified as the source by some parents – has strenuously denied saying any of the schools would close.
He told the Advertiser, “I can categorically say that I never mentioned anything about any closures at that meeting.
“What I did say was that there was an on-going review of educational provision in the county for three to 12-year-olds, but that nothing had been decided.
“One of the areas of concern at Fishcross is the need for an extension in the future.
“Five or six years ago the numbers were declining but now it is very close to being at its maximum capacity.”
Mr Stewart continued, “Every local authority has got to look at its education provision and through the working group we are looking at the whole structure of our primary and nursery schools, but, as yet, we don’t know what will come out of it.
“The council has to look at where it will be in five to 10 years time regarding issues such as the condition of the buildings themselves, the need for modernisation, the possible expansion of some schools and any other changes that might need to be made.
“Whatever comes out of the working group would then have to go to full consultation with the schools and parents, and then would have to go to the full council.”
A merger of Sauchie’s three primary schools and its nursery has prompted a mixed reaction among parents.
A Sauchie mother, who has a five-year-old child at Fishcross Primary said, “I like the wee school and if they amalgamated them there would be an awful lot of pupils.
“If they do that it would be seen as the council keeping the money for other things and taking the money away from the youngsters.”
Another concerned parent said, “If the council take Fishcross bairns down to Fairfield they better have transport as they can’t expect parents to walk with them down there every day.
“They wanted to shut the school down three years ago and we fought to keep it open – and we’re continuing to fight for a new building here.
“It’s better to have separate schools and smaller class sizes. Keep it the way it is with smaller classes and more one-on-one with the kids.
“If they did go ahead with a merger then parents would probably be the last to know.”
At Deerpark Primary a mum of one pupil told the Advertiser that the close-knit community at the school may be lost if an amalgamation went ahead.
She said, “There are pros and cons to it but Deerpark Primary is a phenomenal school with a great PTA.
“They do a lot for the school and they are well supported. It is a close knit school and I would be worried that this may be lost if the schools were amalgamated.”
Another mum, who has a child in P1, added, “I would be happy if the school had better facilities for the children as Deerpark is quite an old school and Fairfield is in a central location.
“Also, Deerpark is one of the few schools not to have a nursery attached to it, and for parents with children in both nursery and primary it can be difficult running between the two buildings.
“If both were on one site I think it would be better for the children and the parents.”
A spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council said that the review and any future decision would be with the aim of making primary and nursery education fit for purpose in the 21st century.
“The cross-party working group is looking at every community across the county to ensure that there are enough school places where they are needed,” she said.
“The review process is informed by the principals identified by the independent commission which presented its findings last year – the commission included external education experts and parents.
“Clackmannanshire has a growing population, and proposed housing developments will have an impact on school rolls, as will factors such as reducing class sizes.
“One of the areas where education provision is currently being considered is Sauchie – particularly in light of the proposed large housing development on farm land to the west of Branshill.
“All options are being considered by the working group, which will make no recommendations or decisions.
“A report will come before council and full public consultation will be undertaken well before any decisions are made.”
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